Apex worth it with current setup?

[I_Got_Crabs]

I found a deal for a used Apex Gold system for $500 (2 years old with receipt). I am having trouble finding if my current equipment is compatible, and hoping someone with an Apex can advise me on whether it's worth it. I currently have a 65 gallon display with 20 gal sump, Octopus Int 110 skimmer, eflux 6009 DC return pump, 6005 elfux powerhead with Loop hub, 2 AI Hydra 26, a DIY upflow aglae scrubber (with pump and light), and some random heater.

Do you think it's worth it to get it even if some of my gear isnt compatible with it?

 

[ihavecrabs]

Hmm.. Definitely need to kick this member off the forum right @Crabs Mcjones .. Three of us now!! lol

All kidding aside!

No need to have "compatible" gear with the apex. Luckily it is designed to work with any equipment. The only things you can do with some certain special equipment is program special flow/wave programs, lighting spectrum, etc. However, a lot of third party equipment have adapters too (like Jaebo and Ecotech for pumps and lights).

If I were you, I'd keep the current equipment plugged in to an outlet and use the outlet control to turn things on/off by program if required (like the heater for safety or the skimmer for 5 min after power comes back on to prevent overflow). When you want to upgrade, just purchase more compatible items, if you need the extra control-ability.

 

[AdamNC]

For the same amount, $499.99, you can get a new Apex EL system from BRS. Orp is pretty much useless unless you’re using a Co2 injection system and the salinity probe is rarely if ever accurate.

 

[ihavecrabs]

For the same amount, $499.99, you can get a new Apex EL system from BRS. Orp is pretty much useless unless you’re using a Co2 injection system and the salinity probe is rarely if ever accurate.

That is a great point. What all comes with the Gold package? Any extra add-ons?

 

[Greybeard]

I'd say you're better off with the new 'budget' Apex EL at the same price. Later design, works with the new Trident (the gold won't), full warranty, wireless networking... all would be worth more to me than ORP and/or Salinity.

IMHO, a 2 year old Gold, in good condition, should probably be going for around $300 today.

As for 'compatible hardware'... your AI Hydra's have their own controller. 'some random heater' should work on an Apex just fine, and provide a 2nd layer of heater safety. Skimmer delay to prevent flooding, control of DIY algae scrubber light... sounds like plenty of compatible hardware to me

 

[AdamNC]

Just an Orp probe And a PM2 to run the salinity probe which is included.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

I found a deal for a used Apex Gold system for $500 (2 years old with receipt). I am having trouble finding if my current equipment is compatible, and hoping someone with an Apex can advise me on whether it's worth it. I currently have a 65 gallon display with 20 gal sump, Octopus Int 110 skimmer, eflux 6009 DC return pump, 6005 elfux powerhead with Loop hub, 2 AI Hydra 26, a DIY upflow aglae scrubber (with pump and light), and some random heater.

Do you think it's worth it to get it even if some of my gear isnt compatible with it?

IMO that's far too much $ for what he's selling. As already commented, that should go for around $300 or so used. I would either go for the new Apex EL, or buy a used Apex classic [the "gold" is not worth any more IMO].

 

[Deiblerj]

For the same amount, $499.99, you can get a new Apex EL system from BRS. Orp is pretty much useless unless you’re using a Co2 injection system and the salinity probe is rarely if ever accurate.

Doesn’t the EL also forgo the 0-10v which to be honest I have no idea what that is or is used for

 

[Bayareareefer18]

I just got an EL and love it. Worth every penny of the $500

I also have the loop system with the IC pro lights and 2 wave pumps

I use outlets on the EB832 for the wave pumps although their settings are still done with the loop controller. They are plugged into the apex for feed modes and maintenance purposes. You can do the same for your eflux return also. Your speed control would still be done with the loop but by plugging it into an apex outlet you will then have power monitoring, feed capabilities, etc

The EL does still have 0-10 ports. The only things it doesn't have are ORP and salinity which are really needed as others have stated.

 

[I_Got_Crabs]

Hmm.. Definitely need to kick this member off the forum right @Crabs Mcjones .. Three of us now!! lol

All kidding aside!

No need to have "compatible" gear with the apex. Luckily it is designed to work with any equipment. The only things you can do with some certain special equipment is program special flow/wave programs, lighting spectrum, etc. However, a lot of third party equipment have adapters too (like Jaebo and Ecotech for pumps and lights).

If I were you, I'd keep the current equipment plugged in to an outlet and use the outlet control to turn things on/off by program if required (like the heater for safety or the skimmer for 5 min after power comes back on to prevent overflow). When you want to upgrade, just purchase more compatible items, if you need the extra control-ability.

Ooooh look, mr fancy pants with his fancy grammar "has" crabs... Lol

Great advice everyone, thanks! I never regret taking a second to post these questions on here. I will definitely forgo the apex gold and look into the EL

 

[Deiblerj]

I just got an EL and love it. Worth every penny of the $500

I also have the loop system with the IC pro lights and 2 wave pumps

I use outlets on the EB832 for the wave pumps although their settings are still done with the loop controller. They are plugged into the apex for feed modes and maintenance purposes. You can do the same for your eflux return also. Your speed control would still be done with the loop but by plugging it into an apex outlet you will then have power monitoring, feed capabilities, etc

The EL does still have 0-10 ports. The only things it doesn't have are ORP and salinity which are really needed as others have stated.

Interesting, thought I saw in a comparison chart that it didn’t have that.

What exactly is that used for anyways??

 

[Bigfishy1]

Depends on what you want to do. I used Apex to turn off pumps and skimmer when I feed. Just forgetting to turn pumps back on one time makes it worth it.

 

[rkpetersen]

Doesn’t the EL also forgo the 0-10v which to be honest I have no idea what that is or is used for

The 4 0-10V outputs on the Apex 2016 can be used to control variable speed and variable intensity devices. So, you can adjust the flow rate on many DC pumps (return pump, skimmer pump, etc) with it, rather than simply turning the pump on or off. Programmable so you can set pumps for certain speeds during feed cycles, for example. They can also be used to set the intensity and (to a limited degree) spectrum on compatible lighting systems.

 

[rkpetersen]

The EL does still have 0-10 ports..

Nope, it doesn't. It has the breakout box port, but no variable speed ports.

They removed the third (bottom) printed circuit board and associated connections for the EL. ORP, salinity, and 2 varspd ports.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Interesting, thought I saw in a comparison chart that it didn’t have that.

What exactly is that used for anyways??

0-10 can be used for many things. There are many compatible pieces of equipment like lights and pumps that run off of the 0-10 so that you can adjust speeds, light intensities etc. Kessils would be an example

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Nope, it doesn't. It has the breakout box port, but no variable speed ports.

They removed the third (bottom) printed circuit board and associated connections for the EL. ORP, salinity, and 2 varspd ports.

Ah was thinking they were on the eb832 but now that I think of it they are 24V supply ports. Would need to add a module for the 0-10

 

[rkpetersen]

Orp is pretty much useless unless you’re using a Co2 injection system and the salinity probe is rarely if ever accurate.

Disagree somewhat with both statements. The salinity probes on both of my Apex systems are accurate, as compared to a refractometer, stable, and sensitive to acute changes. Calibration of the Apex salinity (conductivity) probe can be tricky though for sure. The ORP probe is less useful for most people but it is handy if you run ozone (as I do), and even if you don't use ozone, the ORP trend over time can help you judge whether your tank is getting cleaner or dirtier. Acutely, a sudden drop in ORP can tell you that something has been disturbed or died in your tank before you might otherwise notice it.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Disagree somewhat with both statements. The salinity probes on both of my Apex systems are accurate, as compared to a refractometer, stable, and sensitive to acute changes. Calibration of the Apex salinity (conductivity) probe can be tricky though for sure. The ORP probe is less useful for most people but it is handy if you run ozone (as I do), and even if you don't use ozone, the ORP trend over time can help you judge whether your tank is getting cleaner or dirtier. Acutely, a sudden drop in ORP can tell you that something has been disturbed or died in your tank before you might otherwise notice it.

I agree ORP definitely has it's benefits. It's all about necessity. For me I didn't feel it was needed unless I was running ozone.

 

[Deiblerj]

So I guess I’m confused. If the 0-10 is used for variable settings such as lights, pumps, skimmers, etc...what is the benefit of the Apex other than being able to turn things on and off? Is there no variable control outside the 0-10? Sorry this is somewhat new to me

 

[rkpetersen]

So I guess I’m confused. If the 0-10 is used for variable settings such as lights, pumps, skimmers, etc...what is the benefit of the Apex other than being able to turn things on and off? Is there no variable control outside the 0-10? Sorry this is somewhat new to me

1. Monitoring. Set it up to text you if there's a problem with temp, pH, power, return pump, or a hundred other things you can customize. Check your entire system status from almost anywhere on your phone with the app.

2. Automation and programming. Set it to turn off pumps and skimmer at the push of a button, for feeding time or maintenance, and they'll automatically start up again after a time you set. Automate lights. Fine tune and safeguard your heaters. Set up simple optical or float switches to do things like, for example, turning your skimmer off and sending you a text if your skimmer cup fills unexpectedly. Many other options. Automatic top off and dosing also come to mind, but those require additional modules.

The EL doesn't offer any kind of variable output. That's one of the things they removed to bring the price down from the standard model. But if you want variable control at some point, you can add a VDM module (or two) and you'll have it.